Kathmandu: Hosts Nepal suffered a narrow two-run defeat to the Netherlands, slumping to their second consecutive loss in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers at the TU Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur, on Thursday.

Chasing 141, Nepal were restricted to 138-7 as the Netherlands, who elected to bat first, posted 140-5 to register their third straight victory.

The result confirmed the Netherlands’ place in the Super Six with six points, while Nepal’s qualification hopes suffered a major setback as the hosts remained winless after two matches in Group ‘B’. Nepal must now win both of their remaining fixtures and also rely on other results to progress.

Nepal are scheduled to face Zimbabwe on Saturday and Scotland on Monday.

Nepal needed 13 runs off the final over with experienced batters Rubina Chhetri and Sita Rana Magar at the crease, but the pair could manage only 10 runs.

Middle-order batter Rubina top-scored with an unbeaten 37 off 32 balls, laced with five boundaries. Sita played a blistering knock of 27 not out off 12 deliveries, striking four fours and a six.

Openers Bindu Rawal (18 off 15) and Samjhana Khadka (14 off 8), along with Kabita Joshi (13 off 18), were the other Nepali batters to reach double figures.

After losing Rawal with 22 runs on the board, Nepal lost four wickets in quick succession, adding just 40 runs.

Dutch bowler Isabel van der Woning starred with the ball, claiming 3-16 in her three overs.

Earlier, Netherlands captain Babette de Leede top-scored with 49 off 47 balls before being caught and bowled by Rubina. She shared a crucial 79-run third-wicket partnership with Sterre Kalis, who contributed 30 off 34, hitting two boundaries before being bowled by Riya Sharma.

Robine Rijke added an unbeaten 19 off 17, while Iris Zwilling remained not out on 14 off 9. Opener Heather Siegers also chipped in with 13.

For Nepal, all-rounder Rubina returned figures of 2- 21 from three overs, while Somu Bista, Puja Mahato and Riya Sharma picked up one wicket each.

The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, with the top four sides from the Super Six qualifying for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup finals.

Group ‘A’ comprises Bangladesh, Ireland, Namibia, Papua New Guinea and the USA, while Group ‘B’ features Thailand, the Netherlands, Scotland, Zimbabwe and hosts Nepal.